Family Court records in Onondaga County cover custody, support, paternity, adoption, family offenses, and cases involving children. The court sits at 401 Montgomery Street in Syracuse. Most family files are confidential, so there is no open public search by name. Parties, lawyers, and authorized people request copies from the clerk. This page describes the case types, the limits on public view, and the steps to request a file. It is not legal advice.
This page starts with Family Court Record Search and points to the court or County Clerk that holds the file. Use the case number and court name, then confirm sealed records, copies, and fees with the clerk. A docket entry is an index, not a certified record.
Family Court Record Search
Use these key points and the official source below.
- Official source: https://www.nycourts.gov/courts/5th-judicial-district/onondaga-county-family-court
- Court: Onondaga County Family Court, 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202; (315) 671-2000.
- Records unit: (315) 671-2005 for file review and copy questions.
- Start with: the case number, the parties’ full names, and the year of the petition.
- Privacy: most family files are confidential, so the clerk confirms who may view a file.
Case Types, Petitions & Judgments
Family Court handles disputes about children and families. The main petitions cover custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoption, guardianship, abuse and neglect, family offenses, juvenile delinquency, and children in need of supervision. Divorce and property division belong in Supreme Court. A petition starts a case, and a judge signs orders after hearings. A judgment or order decides the issues. The clerk holds the file for the court that heard the matter.
| Family matter | Court or office | Record to request |
|---|---|---|
| Divorce or dissolution | Supreme Court; Onondaga County Clerk | Judgment of divorce, settlement papers |
| Custody and parenting time | Onondaga County Family Court | Petition, custody order, visitation terms |
| Child support | Family Court; support collection unit | Support petition, order, payment history |
| Spousal support | Family Court | Support petition and order |
| Paternity | Family Court | Paternity petition, order of filiation |
| Adoption | Family Court or Surrogate’s Court | Adoption petition and order (sealed) |
| Family offense | Family Court or criminal court | Petition, temporary order, order of protection |
| Name change | Supreme Court; Onondaga County Clerk | Name change petition and order |
| Juvenile delinquency or PINS | Family Court | Petition and disposition (confidential) |
The table shows where common family matters begin. A divorce file is not a Family Court file, even when the same people have a custody case. Adoption may start in Family Court or Surrogate’s Court. Use the case number and the court name on the papers to pick the right office. When two courts are involved, request each file from its own clerk.
Divorce, Custody, Support & Adoption Filings
Divorce and the dissolution of marriage are Supreme Court cases. The judgment is filed with the Onondaga County Clerk, and the Supreme Court file holds the papers. Custody, visitation, child support, and spousal support are Family Court matters. Adoption may be heard in Family Court or Surrogate’s Court, and adoption files are sealed. A support case can run beside a divorce. Ask each clerk for the file that matches the order you need.
Paternity, Name Change & Protective Orders
A paternity petition asks the court to name a child’s father. The result is an order of filiation. A name change for an adult usually starts in Supreme Court, and the County Clerk records the order. A child’s name may change as part of a family case, so ask where the order was filed. Family offense petitions seek an order of protection. A temporary order can be followed by a final order after a hearing.
Motions, Court Orders & Hearing Logs
A motion asks the judge to change, enforce, or dismiss an order. Common motions cover custody, visitation, support, and violations. The court file shows the motion papers, the return date, and the judge’s decision. The docket lists each filing and appearance. A hearing log may show an adjournment or a new date. Entries can lag behind the courtroom. Ask the clerk for the current order and the next court date.
Active Status, Final Orders & Modified Orders
Case status tells you whether a matter is pending, settled, or closed. A final order ends the issues before the court, but a later petition can reopen them. A modified order replaces an earlier term, such as support or parenting time. The newest signed order controls. An old copy can mislead a school, landlord, or agency. Ask the clerk to confirm the active order and request a certified copy of the current version.
Public Availability & Official Copies
Family Court is not an open-record court. New York Family Court Act section 166 keeps its files from public inspection, with limited exceptions. Parties, their lawyers, and authorized agencies may view a file. The public cannot search family cases by name online. Some calendars and case information may appear in state court systems, but the full file stays with the clerk. Ask the records unit what you may see and what needs a judge’s order.
| Office | Address | Phone | Hours | Use for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onondaga County Family Court | 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 671-2000 | Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 | Case status, calendars, general questions |
| Family Court Records | 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 671-2005 | Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 | File review, copies, certification |
| Family Court Adoptions | 401 Montgomery Street, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 671-4248 | Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 | Adoption record questions |
| Onondaga County Clerk | 401 Montgomery Street, Room 200, Syracuse, NY 13202 | (315) 435-2227 | Mon-Fri 8:30-4:00 | Divorce decrees, name change orders |
| New York Courts | https://www.nycourts.gov/ | See site | See site | Forms, rules, court locations |
The Family Court records unit handles file review and copy requests. The adoptions unit answers questions about sealed adoption files. The County Clerk is a separate office on the same street, and it holds divorce decrees and name change orders. Hours can differ, so call before you travel. Bring the case number and a photo ID. The state court site lists forms and rules, but it does not replace the clerk’s file.
District Clerk Directory & Search Outlets
The Family Court Chief Clerk manages the court’s files and records staff. The records unit at (315) 671-2005 takes copy questions. The Onondaga County Clerk holds Supreme Court divorce judgments and name change orders. The state court system lists court locations, forms, and rules at https://www.nycourts.gov/. A limited case search may show future appearances, but it does not show the full family file. Start with the clerk for the court named on your papers.
Restricted Minor, Financial & Sealed Data
Several family files are closed by law. Juvenile delinquency, PINS, child protective, and adoption matters have confidentiality rules. Financial affidavits in support cases are not public, unlike most civil court records. A judge can seal a file or limit who may see it. Sealed records need a court order before release. A party may need to show photo identification. The clerk cannot confirm details by phone to an unknown caller. Ask the records unit about the rule for your case.
| Record | Public view | Who may view |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile delinquency and PINS | Closed | Judge, parties, lawyers, authorized agencies |
| Child protective (abuse or neglect) | Closed | Parties, lawyers, caseworkers, court-approved people |
| Adoption | Sealed | Court order; state registry for limited information |
| Support financial affidavit | Restricted | Parties, lawyers, court staff |
| Custody and family offense file | Not public | Parties, lawyers, authorized people |
| Order of protection | Limited | Police, protected agencies, parties |
| Sealed file | Closed | Judge’s order only |
The table groups the records that are hardest to obtain. A sealed file is not the same as a confidential file. A confidential file may be viewed by parties and lawyers; a sealed file needs a judge’s order. Adoption records have their own rules, including a state registry for some information. Ask the records unit which category applies before you send a request or pay a fee.
Online, Mail & In-Person Copy Requests
There is no public online portal for a full Onondaga County family file. You can call the records unit for status and copy questions. In-person requests are made at the courthouse with photo ID. Mail requests should include a signed letter, the case number, names, and payment. The clerk confirms the current fee and the form of payment. A request may be delayed when a file is stored off site or needs a judge’s review.
| Method | What to send or bring | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| In person | Photo ID, case number, names | File review and copy questions |
| Signed letter, case number, names, ID copy, payment | Copies when you cannot visit | |
| Phone | Case number and names | Status, fee, and address questions |
| Online | No full-file portal; state court site for forms | Forms and general court information |
The records unit does not accept a name-only request for a confidential file. Give the case number, the parties’ full names, and the year. Ask the clerk which documents may be copied and which need a judge’s order. Payment must match the current fee schedule. A certified copy carries a seal and a signature. Confirm the mailing address and the accepted payment before you send money.
Certified Copies, Fees & Fulfillment Timelines
Copy fees are set by state law and court rules, so the amount can change. Ask the records unit for the current fee before you order. A certified copy has a seal and a signature and can be used by schools and agencies. A copy without certification carries no seal. Processing time depends on the age of the file and any judge’s review. The clerk can give an estimate but cannot promise a date.
Record Accuracy & Resolution
Court files can contain errors. A name may be misspelled, a date of birth may be wrong, or a case number in the court docket may point to another person. An old order may be replaced by a newer one. Start with the clerk who holds the file. Bring the papers you have and a photo ID. Ask for a comparison of the docket with the file. A court order is needed to correct some errors.
| Problem | First step | Office |
|---|---|---|
| Name spelled wrong | Compare the petition with the order | Family Court Records |
| Case number unknown | Search by full name and year | Family Court clerk |
| Recent filing missing | Ask when the paper was received | Family Court clerk |
| Divorce decree missing | Check the Supreme Court index | Onondaga County Clerk |
| File reported sealed | Ask for the sealing order | Family Court clerk |
| Wrong date of birth | Bring photo ID and the papers | Family Court Records |
Most name and number problems are solved at the records window. Give the clerk every version of the name you have used and the year of the case. A divorce decree is held by the County Clerk, not Family Court. An adoption file is held by the court that granted it. If a file was sealed, ask for the written order that sealed it. Keep the receipt and a copy of every request you send.
Matching Party Names & Case Numbers
Use the full legal name on the petition, not a nickname. Include maiden names, married names, and any spelling used in earlier papers. A case number usually includes a year and a case type code. The same people can have more than one case. Give the clerk the case number and the names. If the number is wrong, ask for a search by name and year. Confirm the result before you order a copy.
System Delays for Recent Filings
A new petition may not appear in the docket on the day it is filed. Clerks enter papers after review, and a busy calendar can add more delay. A hearing result may take time to reach the file. Ask the clerk when the paper was received and what entry to expect. Keep the stamped copy from the filing window. Do not assume a missing entry means the case was dismissed.
Unlisted Family Court File Resolution
If no file is found, check the court name first. A divorce or name change may be in Supreme Court, and an adoption may be in Surrogate’s Court. Give the clerk other spellings and the year. The file may be sealed, stored off site, or indexed under a different name. Ask for a written search result. Then contact the court that issued the order. A second search may need a new request and fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
These questions cover the limits on family court records in Onondaga County. A family file is not a public file in the same way as a civil case. The clerk decides who may view a document, and a judge may seal a record. The answers describe common situations, but each case has its facts. For advice about your case, speak with a lawyer. The court clerk can confirm a procedure but cannot give legal advice.
Are family court case files open to the public in Onondaga County?
No. Family Court files are confidential under New York law and are not open for public inspection. Parties, their lawyers, and authorized agencies may view a file. A person with no role in the case needs a judge’s permission. Some calendars and future appearance dates may be visible through state court systems, but the documents are not posted. The records unit can confirm the rule for a specific file. This is not legal advice.
What types of domestic cases are included in court logs?
Family Court calendars list custody, visitation, child support, spousal support, paternity, family offense, abuse and neglect, guardianship, adoption, juvenile delinquency, and PINS matters. A divorce is a Supreme Court case and appears on a different calendar. A log may show only the case name, the case number, the courtroom, and the next date. It does not show the evidence or the judge’s full decision. Ask the clerk for the order if you need the result.
What identification is needed to obtain certified court copies?
Bring a current government photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport. Give the case number and the names of the parties. The clerk may ask about your role in the case, since confidential files are not released to the public. A lawyer may send a letter with the request. A mailed request may need a copy of the ID. Ask the records unit for the current rule before you send documents or payment.
Who confirms missing or unlisted family court records?
Start with the Family Court records unit at (315) 671-2005. Give the names, the case number if you have one, and the year. The clerk can check the index and say whether the file is sealed or held by another court. Divorce decrees are held by the Onondaga County Clerk at (315) 435-2227. Adoption files may be in Family Court or Surrogate’s Court. Ask for a written result if you need proof of the search.